Re: Test for Surge Protector?

[w_tom <w_tom1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

  Appreciate a problem that Cinergy has.  For example, I sat
drinking coffee with two cable TV installers who had just been
given the training.  But because (in part) they were so
deceived by plug-in surge protector myths, they did not fully
comprehend what was taught.  First they had to be untaught
myths so common with plug-in protectors and with surge damage.

  Of course, they are technicians which is why so many big
companies tell them what to do - and don't tell them why.  One
of these installers was sharp.  He wanted to know why.  As I
explained concepts of earthing, the short connection, wire
impedance, etc, then he kept saying, "Is that why they said
that."  Then he kept turning to his partner and saying, "Did
you hear that?"  His partner was not interested.

  Cinergy would have the same problems.

 Cable guy had recently installed the cable directly to the
second floor.  So he ran a ground wire from that second floor
cable to earth.  I explained why he must first drop the cable
down to earth, then make a short earthing connection, then
rise back up.  Suddenly this made sense with something they
had said in their installer's course.  They taught him.  But
without the reasons why, he just did not comprehend what they
had taught him.  His partner apparently did not care
(recessions sometimes cure that problem).

  Cinergy has same problem.  Too many people still think a
wall receptacle is earth ground because (they assume) wire is
a perfect conductor.  Wall receptacles are not earth ground -
despite so many myths.  Appreciate what the training director
must confront when Cinergy top management is more concerned
with keeping the lights on AND when linemen already know
everything they need to know about electricity.

  An interview with a Con Edision employee discussed what Con
Ed did after the 1965 blackout.  Suddenly linemen were
expected to understand basic AC electricity concepts.
Teaching about 60 hertz was too much for some who quit rather
than learn why lines were wired that way.  They had always
done it this way.  Therefore the new way is nonsense.
Appreciate how many years - maybe a decade - it would take for
Cinergy to educate their people in 'earthing for transistor
safety'.

MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 19:48:51 -0400, w_tom <w_tom1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> <432A0863.EF6BC261@xxxxxxxxxxx>:
>  http://www.cinergy.com/surge/ttip08.htm

> Coincidentally this is the very utility that installed the whole
> house ground protector in my house and didn't check the rod,
> the connection to it, or the adjacent cable and telephone
> entry -- all of which were deficient. When I pointed out the
> problems to the utility rep who came to replace it when
> one of the LED's stopped indicating OK,  he said that all he
> did was install or replace the protector. Seemed to know nuthin
> and care less. They also provided 'insurance' for which the
> paperwork was so onerous that I have yet to actually collect ...